Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Sometimes, an intentional step back is required to ultimately take that giant leap forward.
Let’s get straight to the point: The Aaron Rodgers decision split the New York Jets fanbase into two groups:
- Those who were happy to see it happen.
- Those who were unhappy to see it happen.
Drilling further, when considering just the individual involved, the two Jets fan groups are as follows:
- Those who are ok with Aaron Rodgers, the individual and quarterback.
- Those who are not ok with Aaron Rodgers, the individual and quarterback.
No matter where any single Jets fan stands on Rodgers, the truth of the current atmospheric situation is pretty impossible to ignore: New York’s decision to move forward without the all-time great immediately produced a chunk of the fanbase that believes their team is “rebuilding” or “tanking” in 2025.
Yet, that could not be further from the case.
Spurning Rodgers is a step back, but that’s ok
I would have brought Aaron Rodgers back for the 2025 season. I’m on record as having already stated that opinion—provided he is wholly agreeable with the new program.
If I were new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, I would have at least brought an open mind and extended arms when meeting with Rodgers. Yet, that did not appear to happen, as the decision to “move on” felt firm from the start.
While my aim would have been Rodgers in 2025, I would have moved in another direction only if he had balked at any of my requests at any point. That much has to be a certainty.
For those who believe Rodgers is “washed,” this article really isn’t for you. You’re already in the camp that believes the Jets aren’t in rebuild mode sans Rodgers.
For those folks, no statistic can back up the idea that this guy can not only still play but can also drastically improve in 2025—thanks to the completely hopeless coaching situation and rigorous rehab requirements coming off the Achilles. Unfortunately, nothing in that realm exists other than realizing certain limitations thanks to witnessing several years of horrific coaching and incompetent structures that make it impossible for football players to thrive.
I mean, just look at the suddenly-worthy Sam Darnold and Geno Smith‘s statistics with the Jets. How in the world could any statistic have foreshadowed their future success? Far too often in our analytical-crazed world, the idea of limitations is tossed out of the window.
Investigate how Archie Manning—one of the most talented quarterbacks who ever walked planet Earth—could never get out of his own way with the New Orleans Saints (or Aints). (Boy, did the football gods ever reward Archie with rich blessings in his sons in the decades that followed, but that’s another story for a different day.)
In any event, this article is for those who believe the Jets kicking Rodgers to the curb transparently hurts the team’s chances of winning in 2025. Or, at the very least, it’s aimed at calming down the group that feels parting ways with Rodgers injures the current roster (February 2025).
What I say to you folks is pretty simple: Perhaps, but not assuredly.
As of this very moment, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, yes, the Jets roster is worse than it was when Rodgers and, subsequently, Davante Adams were rostered. However, it is by no means destined to be that way by the time the summer arrives.
Cleaner messaging
Even if Rodgers is the world’s greatest teammate and provides valuable knowledge, his absence unclogs messaging avenues.
Most of the old Jets heads know who Aaron Glenn is as a football man. This was a kid who—drafted No. 12 overall in the 1994 NFL draft by the short-lived Pete Carroll and Dick Steinberg regime—muffed three punts in his first NFL live preseason action. Remember, the Texas A&M cornerback was coveted as much (if not more) for his electric return ability.
He confidently overcame a horrific on-the-field start.
Then, a few years later, he sparred with the big man.
After worrying about the trade rumors during Bill Parcells‘s arrival in 1997, Glenn confronted the Big Tuna. Per a story Glenn has previously shared, Parcells quickly humbled him by stating, “Everybody has a price on their head (even my wife).”
He became one of Parcells’s most trusted defenders—opposite bigger corners Parcells preferred, such as Otis “My Man” Smith and Marcus Coleman.
Glenn is comfortable with placing himself in uncomfortable situations, and that’s exactly what he intends to do with his players. Not only is this something the current Jets players desperately need, but it’s easier to accomplish without Rodgers’s aura always blinding the room.
Correct, incorrect, intentional, unintentional, or indifferent, Rodgers’s absence provides a much cleaner slate for messaging and pulling the cart as one unit. Most importantly, this even holds true in a world where Rodgers is the perfect football citizen.
Resource allocation
Sans Rodgers and Adams, Darren Mougey can now allocate more cap space to the roster’s infrastructure, as Glenn envisions.
It’s no secret how the Detroit Lions built their roster. Ben Johnson’s offensive line is the best in the game (apologies to the Philadelphia Eagles), and their defense was also built with an inside-out vision.
Clearing the Rodgers and Adams money off the books provides tremendous flexibility in how the Glenn-Mougey regime wants to get this thing off the ground. If they successfully hit their stride this offseason, what looks like a less-than-stellar roster in February can feel much different in May.
Plus, let’s be honest, shall we? The New York Jets’ greatest ill lies in the coaching department. No statement can give it to fans straighter than that.
Rex Ryan took Eric Mangini’s tremendously talented roster and accomplished great things in 2009 and 2010. Unfortunately, Ryan also kick-started the organization’s current playoff-less plague.
Ignoring offensive linemen in the draft (there were no first-round OL selections from 2007 to 2019), making all-too-stubborn personnel decisions, and having an attitude around accountability that felt like the circus was in town commenced the downfall of this organization.
Coaching and historical precedent
Sure, there’s a concern that Glenn is taking Parcells’s “not wanting a celebrity quarterback” motto to an insane degree, especially in an extremely different league, but the Jets’ new head coach has opened the waters to the point that it’s all on his shoulders.
That’s what letting Rodgers go does. If Glenn is the real deal, the 2025 Jets will be a relevant and even playoff-contending squad. By no means is that fantastical thinking, either. Consider the objective reality that this roster features legitimate talent.
Plus, speaking of the Tuna, what else did he believe? Parcells also wanted his teams to care about winning preseason games, and he never thought about “rebuilding” or “tanking.” After the shocking 9-7 first Jets squad in 1997, Parcells continued with consistent messaging that offseason—drilling a “you have not earned anything yet” message into his players’ heads.
If Glenn truly is a Parcells disciple, he doesn’t even know what “rebuilding” means. He only goes into each day with opportunity on his mind.
Aaron Rodgers or not, the 2025 New York Jets boil down to Aaron Glenn as a head football coach.
Remember, this situation is terrifyingly similar to the one experienced after the 2008 season. The triumph against the undefeated Tennessee Titans to improve the record to 8-3 is such a distant memory, thanks to Chad Pennington‘s dramatic revenge tour in Week 17.
New York choked up a golden opportunity yet again, and, even worse, Brett Favre retired. Fans were hopeless.
Little did they know what was to come.
Sure, Mark Sanchez did not work out as advertised, and sure, Rex Ryan ruined the great Mike Tannenbaum-Eric Mangini roster, but what followed the most hopeless offseason in recent memory were the most exhilarating two years Jets fans hold near and dear to their aching hearts.
One can only hope Aaron Glenn keeps things glued together after soaring shockingly high from the starting blocks.
